Forum From Baby to Toddler

shaking head back and forth

40 replies · page 1 of 3

sannaGuest ·
Recently (my son is almost 7 months old), my son shakes his head back and forth, especially before bedtime. Does anyone have experience with this? Is he in pain somewhere or is it a kind of rhythm to help him fall asleep? He was born 5 weeks premature, and I’ve always swaddled him because he moves his arms and legs so restlessly that it’s hard for him to fall asleep without the wrap. Also, his teeth are coming in now... I don’t think he’s uncomfortable or anything; he’s cheerful and eats pretty well.

Replies

Page 1 of 3

  1. melissa Guest #2

    My son does this too, and I once asked the doctor about it. She said that many babies do this when they're tired! So no need to worry about it!! Unless you think he's in pain or something, then go to the doctor!

  2. hartje #3

    If he's not crying, then it'll probably be okay, I think. Or is he really upset?

  3. sanna started this #4

    No pain and no crying. Thanks anyway for your responses. I also think it's not something to worry about. Greetings

  4. Aicha Guest #5

    Hi! My little boy has been doing this since he was born, and I’ve figured out that it happens when he has a little burp stuck. So I pick him up, gently pat his back, and then a big burp comes out. After that, he usually stops shaking his head.

  5. shari Guest #6

    My son does this too, he's almost 6 months now. I notice it well, he does it often when he doesn't want to drink or eat. He's 7 months and he does it often when he really doesn't want to. I wonder if he already knows when he has to shake for what he doesn't want. Babies nowadays are smart, so you shouldn't underestimate them :-)

  6. Amelia Guest #7

    My 10-month-old daughter does this sometimes when she's tired. I'd just bring it up at the CB if you have any doubts.

  7. little miss sunshine #8

    I used to do it so much when the baby and child were around! So much that the camping bed was folded, told my mom haha. I did it until about 10 years old. My dad used to do it too. I did it because I was scared and got so tired. But everything turned out fine, hihi.

  8. Flower #9

    My brothers and I used to do it too to rock ourselves to sleep. My son does it now mostly with one arm and a cuddly toy. The first time we thought he had gone crazy. And then he suddenly fell asleep. We laughed so much about it!

  9. DeeDee012 #10

    Yeah, I know that feeling with my little girl too. It was so weird to see, and once she could roll over and sleep on her tummy, it was over. She just couldn’t get to sleep properly on her back.

  10. Cynthia Guest #11

    My daughter did this too at 7 to 10 months old and suddenly stopped as well.

    She only did it before going to sleep.

  11. Anonymous Guest #12

    Hi! My 12-week-old son is also having a really hard time before he falls asleep. He's very restless, like he's fighting sleep. I was so worried, but it's a relief to know I'm not the only one. Do you have any tips for this?

    Love, a happy mom

  12. wendy Guest #13

    Our 5-month-old son falls asleep much more easily now. At first, he used to scratch his head open every time he tried to fall asleep, then scream and wouldn't calm down... So this is a better way for him to fall asleep calmly here.

  13. Anonymous Guest #14

    We’ve had this with our 6-month-old daughter too. She’s been doing it for 3 months now. Always fighting sleep in the afternoon and also in the evening before bedtime. So yeah, it seems like she’s just tired.

  14. Dija Guest #15

    My 8-year-old daughter does the yawn thing too, hahaha. So funny to see. Do they do it when they're tired????

  15. anoniem22 #16

    Hi, anyone from around 23-12-2017 with a similar situation? My son, now 5 months old, does it before and during sleep so badly that his body shifts and he ends up on the side of his crib, so his head also bumps against it. I find this quite worrying because I know the skull and everything isn't that sturdy.. it's only been happening for 4 days. Any tips or experiences?

  16. Hartje #17

    Here too, almost 10 months. Indeed with falling asleep, sometimes with a monotonous sound added. Sometimes he also head-bangs, you can hear that downstairs. Seems to all be part of it..

    Anoniem22 if you still think it's discomfort, you could have the ears checked. I think that can sometimes be the cause too.
    But if they do it themselves, they find it pleasant in some way or other..

  17. anoniem22 #18

    I also read somewhere that it can happen with teething? He has a lot of trouble with that, but I don't find the head shaking itself too bad or scary, just that vulnerable little head that keeps banging it so hard ;€ I'm curious if he'll do it in the afternoon too, because we always pick him up and hold him between us instead of letting him sleep in his own crib on Sundays.

  18. Hartje #19

    That could work too. My little boy got 4 in the past two weeks, but he was already doing that before. Maybe you can put a cloth in front of him so he doesn't bump his head so hard? Although I can hardly imagine that he's causing himself structural injury, but you could still try it. How was it for you guys in bed?

  19. anoniem22 #20

    I got a tip from family yesterday about those slanted U-shaped protective tubes that also fit over heating pipes. You wrap three or four of them around the bars; this gives good air circulation and prevents hard bumps. It sounds ideal. Our bed loves it. We left without head-shaking, without crying, but we'll stay home alone on Sunday for a few hours due to acclimation.

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